DAY 72-PENANG, MALAYSIA

       We are docked today in Georgetown the capital for the state of Penang on northwest side of the Malaysian peninsula just south of Thailand.  Hopefully you can see that on the maps above.  Penang is one of the 13 states in Malaysia and as you see part is on Penang Island.  You can either take a ferry or the 8.5 mile long bridge to get to the island and Georgetown, where we are today.  Penang is one of the most developed and economically important states in the country and has a thriving tourist industry.  Because of its shape and location on the strategic trading route of the Strait of Malacca, it is often referred to as the "Pearl of the Orient".  Manufacturing leads the economy here but tourism, shipping, finance, and other services are also important.  As far a agriculture, palm oil, rice, rubber, fruits, coconut, vegetables, cocoa, and spices are harvested.  1.5 million people live in the state, half of which live on the island.  Georgetown, where we are docked, is named after Britian's King George III and has deep British roots and customs.


Here are some photos taken back in 2010 when on our world cruise then.  They are photos taken on our "Penang and Its Snake Temple".  We also saw how batik was made.  You will like these photos for sure.

https://goo.gl/photos/j6zXPQ4KgYbP2mYe7

WHAT WE DID TODAY:
       I tried to sleep in so did not get up until just after 8:00.  Rebecca had her room service breakfast delivered at 7:30.  I called my mom and dad at 8:30 (7:30 pm Sat in Flora, IL).  It is Sunday morning here so I attended the interdenominational church service at 9:00.
       We docked in Georgetown at noon today.  After a little lunch, my tour, "Penang Hill, Temple, & Funicular" departed the ship at 12:45.  Rebecca decided not to go today either.  We drove to the Penang Hill Railway for a funicular railway the took us over 2200 feet up to the top of Penang hill. The railway was opened in 1923 but has been overhauled since.  Each of the two cars has a 100 passenger capacity.  After spending 45 minutes up there, we rode it back down to our waiting bus.
       From there we drove to the Kek Lok Si Temple.  This is a Buddhist Temple encompassing 30 acres built on a hill facing the sea and commands an impressive view.  It is one of the best known temples on the island.  The temple complex was built of a period from 1890 to 1930.  The main sites here are the 7 story Pagoda of Rama VI, bronze statues of Buddha, and a 99 foot tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.  There were over 200 steps to get up to the temple area.
       Got back from my tour late, 6:15pm.  We gave a 7:00 Prime 7 reservation for dinner.  I am uploading photos which will take a long time so will publish this post and add photos later on another separate post.  Good photos coming up!!